Why You Should Stop Using Shampoo

Why You Should Stop Using Shampoo ASAP (Really)

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If you’re like most men, you take a shower every day. As part of the showering process, you lather a generous amount of shampoo into your thick mane and rub it around until you feel like you’re clean. But did you know your shampooing habits might actually be doing more harm than good?

So what does shampoo do to your hair? There’s a growing group of people who believe shampoo is a sham. While we aren’t going to go so far as to say it’s a scam, it is important that you understand exactly what’s happening to your hair and scalp when you use shampoo.

In order to understand shampoo, you have to understand your scalp. Specifically, you need to know that the skin on your head produces a greasy substance known as sebum.

“Sebum coats the cuticle or outer keratin coat of each hair strand, giving it a healthy shine,” explains Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. “However, sebum also makes your hair look dirty. An accumulation of it causes hair strands to stick together, making your locks look dull and greasy. Dust, pollen, and other particles are attracted to the sebum and stick to it.”

Because sebum is hydrophobic, you can’t rinse it away with water. This is where shampoo comes into play. It contains a detergent – much like what’s found in laundry or dishwashing detergent – that strips the sebum from your hair so that you don’t end up with hair that’s overly greasy.

Shampooing every now and then is fine, but the problem is that most guys over-shampoo. When you do this, all of the sebum is stripped from your hair and your sebaceous gland gets overwhelmed. At this point, one of two things happens. Either the gland will pump out way too much oil and actually leave your hair greasier than before, or it’ll just give up and your hair and scalp will dry out.

You don’t want too much or too little oil in your hair. The problem is that over-shampooing usually puts guys on one end of this spectrum. In order to land somewhere in the middle, try using standard shampoo only once per week.

Tips For Using Less Shampoo

If you’ve been shampooing daily for years, then the idea of only using shampoo once per week might sound nasty to you. Here’s the thing, though: You can still wash your hair daily and remove the flakes and dirt - just without shampoo.

Still not convinced? Here are some tips that will allow you to have the best hair of your life while only using shampoo once a week.

Be Patient

When you first stop shampooing on a daily basis, your hair might get pretty oily. It’s okay, though. You have to break the cycle that your scalp is accustomed to. After about three or four weeks of only using shampoo once per week, your scalp will adjust and start to produce the right amount of sebum. If you’re someone who works out a lot and is worried about sweat, try using a small amount of light conditioner to freshen up your hair and break up the oil and sweat.

Consider the Seasons

“The frequency with which you shampoo and the type of shampoo you need can vary with the season. During warmer months, we tend to perspire which releases toxins and other contaminants into our hair,” GQ Barber Lounge points out. “Combined with bad odor, we’ll want to shampoo more frequently and will likely need to deal with oilier scalps. Conversely, during the winter drier months, we may need to shampoo less frequently and switch to a moisturizing or hydrating shampoo to add back moisture sucked out by the drier air.”

Your hair care isn’t something that you can just put on autopilot. It’s best to think of it like a plant. Sure, you can do routine watering, but you also have to pay attention to how it’s doing from time to time. It needs differing levels of nutrition and attention depending on the circumstances.

Try Natural Alternatives

If you’re looking for a way to wash your hair without using chemicals found in shampoo, baking soda is a good choice. Not only does it clean the scalp, but it also deodorizes. Some guys even use apple cider vinegar, which adds some shine to the follicles.

As more and more people become aware of the disadvantages of overusing shampoo, alternative products are popping up all over the place. Here are five specific alternatives worth trying:

J.R. Liggett Bar Shampoo

Shampoo bars are a popular alternative to traditional shampoo. They’re similar to a standard bar of soap, but are specifically formulated to wash hair. This sulfate-free brand is highly recommended.$6.75 at Amazon.com

NaturOli Soap Nuts

Soap nuts have a lot of different uses. While a lot of people use them as organic laundry detergent, soap nuts are great for cleaning hair without stripping out all of the oils you need for healthy growth.$18.95 at Amazon.com

Batiste Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo isn’t something you want to use all the time, but it can come in handy in a pinch. It removes excess oil and grease without the need for water (which can dry out your hair). This product from Batiste has a nice tropical scent that makes it perfect for using after the gym or at work.$16.76 at Amazon.com

Seven Minerals Aloe Vera Gel

Believe it or not, aloe vera gel can actually be used to moisturize and clean hair. Put some into a bowl, dip your fingertips into it, and scrub into your hair. If you let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing, you’ll end up with happy, healthy hair.$19.95 at Amazon.com

Biottin Vitamin E Oil

100 percent pure vitamin E oil is great for the hair. It naturally moisturizes and repairs damaged skin and hair, and even promotes circulation to the scalp. If you struggle with a dry scalp, this product is super helpful.$14.98 at Amazon.com

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